The event occurred around 8:20 p.m. Monday following a rainstorm. RFTA CEO Dan Blankenship said no passengers were onboard during the incident and the driver was also OK.

“We are very thankful,” Blankenship said. “It could have been a very, very tragic accident.”

According to Blankenship, the boulder was moving fast enough to make its way across Highway 82’s northbound lanes before striking the bus, which was traveling south.

Support Local Journalism

“The bus was heading to Carbondale to serve as a backup for other buses that were reaching the 9-passenger social distancing limit, which is why it didn’t have any passengers at the time,” Blankenship said.

The bus was about a half a mile away from CMC’s Spring Valley Campus turn off near the Thunder River Market when it was hit.

The boulder hit the side of the bus not far from the driver compartment, Blankenship said.

“The bus can be repaired but when people get hurt that raises it to a whole other level of seriousness,” Blankenship said.

Blankenship did not have an exact estimate for how much the damage would cost but said it could easily surpass $25,000.

“The bus will need to be sent out of the area to have extensive bodywork performed since it damaged the structure,” Blankenship said.

Blankenship estimated the boulder to be about 2 1/2 to 3 feet tall and the same distance wide.

Support Local Journalism

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.

COVID-19 has disrupted our education system, how schools are meeting student needs, and what’s being put in place to address gaps in resources. Featuring Phil Qualman, superintendent of Eagle County Schools, and Jay Hamric, Director...

Laid off and not sure what to do next? View our informational webinar featuring unemployment and career development experts. Learn how to apply for unemployment benefits, how the CARES Act has changed those benefits, and...

Laid off and not sure what to do next? View our informational webinar featuring unemployment and career development experts. Learn how to apply for unemployment benefits, how the CARES Act has changed those benefits, and...